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A New Year's Resolution You can Follow Through on!

If you are anything like the rest of the population (myself included), the beginning of a new year means you have an opportunity to change your life; get off on the right foot for the year; make the changes necessary to avoid the mistakes you made last year; etc. etc. etc. After all, the typical new year's motto is "New year, new me", right?

Well I am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to making some rock solid resolutions on New Year's day...aaand failing pretty quickly into the new year. So where does the problem lie?

The problem with the tradition of New Year's resolutions is that we typically set unrealistic expectation for ourselves, focusing on the things that we don't like about ourselves. We make negative affirmations and are convinced that they will put us in the right mindset to reach our goals. Seriously, what ever happened to liking ourselves and feeling good?

Here is the problem I continually run into...my anxiety typically results in me tearing myself apart on the inside. On my bad days I run through the following list of negative thoughts:

I'm just not good enough for anyone

I'm too fat to attract my husband

I'm too sarcastic for my friends

The list goes on and on. Terrible, I know. But this is why I am writing this post...this year I am going to step away from the norm and make a resolution that will be good for me, and hopefully you too!

My resolution is to simply be the best me I can possibly be.

Vague? Yes. Unrealistic and extreme? NO! Rather than focusing on wanting to lose 20 pounds, and quit eating sugar *I say as I sip on my little bit of coffee and a lot-a-bit of creamer*, I am going to focus on doing what makes me FEEL good. Let's face it, when we feel good, we stop being concerned about how we look on the outside. Because feeling good about yourself is freaking gorgeous! The positive vibes that generate from a happy body tend to erupt into the beautiful glowing creatures we all are. It's a fact, less stress typically results in less acne, a relaxed body, a drop in water weight, etc. -Obviously everyone's body is different, but they all experience some sort of benefit from less stress. ;)

So here are a few suggestions for giving your body the stress relief it is begging for and continually working toward being the best you that you can possibly be:

Look into getting a massage - it is an expense, but one that can be managed by quitting your twice-weekly fast food lunch runs (or in my case 4 times a week). Try out a couple of massage therapists at first. Do not quit after one if you ended up with something you were not a fan of...each massage therapist is different. Don't go every week, unless it is recommended. Maybe start by going once or twice a month. Once you find a therapist you like, buy a package of massages in order to keep yourself accountable. Hey, if you already paid for that next massage, there is no reason to skip out on it, right?

Look into a chiropractor - I know, I know some of you might be saying "those people are crackpots!" "witch doctors!" "there's no way in h*** that much popping is good for you". Trust me, I have heard everything in the book. But I won't argue with science. I will tell you that since I started getting regular adjustments, I wake up with less soreness, and I find myself able to do a lot more than I use to because my body FEELS GOOD!

Utilize those free one-week gym memberships - It never fails, this time of year every gym and health facility is running free trial promotions. Try a yoga class, or go to the gym and see what all the hype is about. If it isn't for you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you! There are so many different options out there for you to try that will make your body feel good.

Take advantage of this time of year! - I mentioned free gym trials...there are all sorts of free trial options at almost every facility you can think of. "New year, new you" promotions are going on in every business that you could imagine falls into that mantra. Massage therapists are usually mega cheap, chiropractors offer some sort of free exam and adjustment combo, acupuncturists, yoga studios, salons, spas, etc.

Whatever it is that you can think of that might help you feel good, and in turn make you a better you...go test it out! But don't just stop at the free/mega cheap opportunities. If it works for you, keep going! You, and everyone around you, benefit from you feeling good.